December 19, 2007

Simon suspended 30 games: Chris Simon has received the longest suspension in NHL history--again. Late in the New York Islanders loss to the Penguins Saturday, with the Isles trailing 3-2, Simon drew a match penalty when he pulled out Jarkko Ruutu's leg, sending the forward to his knees between the team benches. Simon then stepped on the back of Ruutu's leg with his skate.

It's to the point the NHL may have to consider bouncing Simon out of the league. Using your skate to try and harm somebody isn't much different than assaulting someone with a large knife. He could have severed Ruutu's artery or hamstring, but maybe the NHL is going to let him continue playing until he really does harm someone seriously. It's not like they haven't had prior warnings.

The players should know that there are probably what 2 to 8 cameras around every NHL rink/game. You won't get away with that B.S. Simon's an idiot, I agree with dyams here, he needs to be kicked out of the league and given an assualt charge. 30 games is alot, but it won't send the message to this clown. In this case, thank God there were 2 refs on the ice.

Seems like normal Hockey behavior to me. I guess that's what the league gets when for years they take the approach that violence and assaults are just part of the game. Truthfully that kind of attack could end a guys career. Like trying to slice the guys achilles tendon in half. If they allow it with only a 30 game suspension they might as well just condone it. Maybe the DA will file assault with a deadly weapon charges on the guy.

Seems like normal Hockey behavior to me. Lot more heat than light in that statement, no? Clearly it's not "normal" or it would be happening on an everyday basis. The question that I think a sport has to confront in a situation like this is not whether it's normal, but whether there's a consensus, or even a significant minority opinion, that it's within the realm of acceptable behavior. You could argue that when an act incurs only a temporary administrative penalty, even a big one, there's a suggestion that it was naughty but that it won't take much to return to the fold.

I'm curious how Simon's teamates feel about that cheap shot. I'm sure he lost respect from other players as well. (If he had any to begin with). And No, its not normal Hockey Behavoir, this is intent to injure.

Seems like Ted Nolan, DiPietro, and Bill Guerin all took the "we've got to support Chris" angle. Bullshit. Must feel like shit to be a minor league player in the Islanders organization. You get to travel by bus and watch this goon play in your spot.

30 games?He should be banned altogether from the NHL or any other league that it's associated with!!He's just a complete goon,bufoon,anything but a professional hockey player!! Let a kid from the minors come up and take his spot.I'm sure there is someone just waiting to take advantage of playing in the NHL.

Chris has played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, has won a Stanley Cup and just as importantly has won the respect of his teammates. He is an Islander, deserves our compassion, and we ask that all Islanders fans join us in supporting Chris every step of the way.” Biggest load of crap I ever seen in sport. If this is not the epitomy of shitdom. I don't know what is.

Chris has played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, has won a Stanley Cup and just as importantly has won the respect of his teammates. He is an Islander, deserves our compassion, and we ask that all Islanders fans join us in supporting Chris every step of the way.” Is this a 12 step program?

"The actions of Chris Simon on Saturday do not reflect what the New York Islanders stand for," Islanders owner Charles Wang said in a statement. "They were reckless, potentially dangerous and against our team concept of grit, character and heart." I kind of wish he followed it up with "...and that is why we are releasing him from the team permanently."

So awesome. Everyone pile on. Simon isn't the first to do something like this - but he makes it pretty hard to defend him. Guy has issues obviously. Angry man. I think the interesting thing here is that the NHL has imposed it's largest suspension in history for an action that didn't actually hurt the other player. Most of you hardcore hockey fans calling for the end of Simon - worried about the integrity of the game, I'm sure - needn't worry. Simon is 36 with 55 games worth of suspension in the last 2/3s of the seasons he's played. He's pretty much done. An ignominious end for what was once a fierce and widely respected player. He could score and intimidate with the best of them in his heyday. Tell Theo we say hi, Chris. (Man am I happy that I didn't get as incensed as some of you when I saw this. Y'all need to just chill a bit. He didn't step on you.)

So awesome. Everyone pile on. posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:06 PM CST on December 19 Unable to post anything else except criticism. Give us a alternative to explain this behavior for the umpteenth time. Just glad player wasn't hurt , however the intent (at least to me) to injure was apparent to me.

Too much McSmokey on this one, Weedy. Shame too, I enjoy your posts. (suck up) I think the interesting thing here is that the NHL has imposed it's largest suspension in history for an action that didn't actually hurt the other player. That's a positive statement to me, the intent to injure was clearly there and a suspension or more is needed.. He could score and intimidate with the best of them in his heyday. Which day was that?

"Oh, I know! I think we should bring back the pillory, and tattoo his crimes on his forehead in Comic Sans for the world to see, and then we should rip his fingernails and scrotum off and present them to the family of the guy he stepped on. Then we should impale his head on a stick and serve his innards in a stew, and put the whole thing on PPV and sell the rights to charity." Sweet merciful christ. Yes, what he did was really not cool, and I don't know if anyone noticed, but no one in the history of the game has ever received a harsher penalty. (So much talk about retribution. They're on it, okay?) But the NHL has a collective bargaining agreement, weak as it is, that forbids a team from ripping up someone's contract without due process. (Unlike some other leagues I could mention - hey, whatever happened to Albert Haynesworth? Oh, right, he's not only still playing, he's in the Pro Bowl! Way to go, NFL! You sure showed him that stepping on another player doesn't pay!) Simon may or may not play again, but even if he does, he's never going to be able to escape the fact that he is (at least officially) the dirtiest player in the history of the game. Due process is happening, you guys. This medieval eye-for-an-eye Nancy Grace talk is revolting.

"The actions of Chris Simon on Saturday do not reflect what the New York Islanders stand for," Islanders owner Charles Wang said in a statement. Wang then went on to say, "Why, that'd be as ill-advised as signing a goalie to a 15-year, $67.5 million contract, or letting Grant Snow run your team!"

"Oh, I know! I think we should bring back the pillory, and tattoo his crimes on his forehead in Comic Sans for the world to see, and then we should rip his fingernails and scrotum off and present them to the family of the guy he stepped on. Then we should impale his head on a stick and serve his innards in a stew, and put the whole thing on PPV and sell the rights to charity." Please not Comic Sans. Maybe Bank Gothic? But I'm good with the rest.

Yes, what he did was really not cool, and I don't know if anyone noticed, but no one in the history of the game has ever received a harsher penalty. I noticed. I noticed the National Hockey League had yet another chance to stand up against criminal behavior in its workplace and again took the chicken-shit route. Thirty games -- who fucking cares how long the suspension is? You have indisputable video evidence that a person in the employ of your league attempted to take a sharpened piece of metal and apply it to another person in the employ of your league. That same person just served 25 games for smashing his stick into another player's face. If you were the NHL, for what earthly reason would you think, "Well, a 30-game suspension will straighten Simon out and we won't have to worry about him then!" Guess what, idiots -- you will have to worry about him again if you let him back on the ice, and I really, really hope Ruutu is considering a lawsuit against the NHL for not providing a safe work environment. I mean, they let this guy back into the league after he deliberately tried to injure someone ... and in short order, he did it again. How could Ruutu lose?

But the NHL has a collective bargaining agreement, weak as it is, that forbids a team from ripping up someone's contract without due process. Who said anything about ripping up his contract? You can simply cut him from the team. If he signs with another team, they can pay him to "play". If not, he sits for the rest of the season and keeps collecting a paycheque (after his suspension, of course). He is simply an embarrassment to the team and (at this point in his career) isn't able to contribute positively to a team (3 points in 26 games). He could score and intimidate with the best of them in his heyday.Which day was that? His biggest season was in 1999-2000 with the Washington Capitals. 29 goals, 20 assists for 49 points, which means he led the team in goals (!), and was 3rd on the team in points. I can't think of too many players in the past 30 years that led their team in goals AND PIM in the same season. (The guys behind BaseballReference.com need to build one for the NHL.)

Grum, you are correct about 1999-2000, but in 10 other seasons he had 10 goals or less. And in 5 of those he had 4 or less. Plus, in 1999-2000, he had Oates (2nd in NHL in assists with 56). Team stats here. Lot of playmakers on that team = Simon getting the puck on a silver platter. He, no doubt, had a career year in 1999-2000. But when I think Chris Simon, I don't think goal scorer. Weedy's post said "the best of them", but Chris Simon did not crack the top 35 in goals, even in his banner year. Intimidate, absolutely. No debate on that one.

Weedy's post said "the best of them" No - I just meant he could score AND intimidate with the best of them. Should put a comma in there I guess. I wasn't claiming Chris Simon could score with the best of them. Good gracious no. But he played for as long as he did for a reason. That's all. He was a good player at his peak. That's all I meant. Geez, it sounds like he died.